USF is Florida’s toughest September opponent, but still mediocre

There’s been a lot of talk this week about how talented South Florida is.

Some of it has been reasonable. Some of it has been ridiculous — like when Florida offensive coordinator Steve Addazio called the Bulls the nation’s No. 1 team.

The Steve Addazio Poll has one voter: Steve Addazio (pictured).

“I mean it from my heart, we’re playing the best team in the country on Saturday,” he said this week. “You say, ‘Come on, come on,’ but that’s the way it is.”

No it’s not. Addazio is the last person I want to disagree with — have you seen him? — but calling USF the best team in all the land is absurd. Come on, Steve, that’s not #realtalk.

Even though this is a home game (12:21 kickoff at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, FOX has the telecast in Palm Beach County and Gainesville), it’s tougher than going on the road to a Tennessee team that can’t even shower correctly. Derek Dooley needs to get that Old Spice “I’m a man — I’m on a horse” guy in his locker room ASAP. USF is also better than an upstart Kentucky team and obviously better than the pitiful Miami (Ohio) Redhawks.

If you come out of the shower smelling worse than when you went in, you're doing something wrong.

This game was scheduled in 2002, when USF was independent. The Bulls return to The Swamp in 2015.

Before diving into USF, here is some basic info to lay the ground work:

— Florida opened as a 16.5-point favorite. That dropped to 15.

— USF went 8-5 last year, including 3-4 in the Big East. The Bulls finished sixth in their conference, beating only Syracuse and Louisville.

— The Bulls crushed Stony Brook 59-14 last week. I was not aware Stony Brook had football until that game.

— Florida is 8-3-2 all-time against the Big East, most recently crushing Cincinnati in the Sugar Bowl.

Even in the win over FSU, which was brought up a few times by players, coaches and media this week, Daniels was inconsistent. It’s hard to envision the Gators allowing 215 passing yards off just eight completions.

Daniels has the benefit, though, of being a year older. He also has three of his top four 2009 receivers back: seniors A.J. Love and Dontavia Bogan, as well as sophomore Sterling Griffin. The running game is basically Daniels, who accounted for 35 percent of USF’s rushing yardage in ’09.

Daniels overcame two INTS to beat the 'Noles last fall. (SI photo)

The offensive line gave up 38 sacks last season.

Defensively, the Bulls were average last year. In conference, they allowed 138 rushing yards, 230 passing yards and 28 points per game. They return five starters on that side.

USF’s two best players on defense are CB Kayvon Webster and DT Terrell McClain. Webster, a sophomore, broke up two passes and had one interception last year. McClain, a senior, is 6-3, 302 and five tackles for loss last season.